Required: One Fool

 

 

Tell me what I need to hear

But do it in jest

Not what I want to hear;

That is not the best.

 

“A spoonful of sugar”

You know how the maxim ends,

“Makes the medicine go down

And does not offend.”

 

You would recall the jester:

A professional clown,

His job was to entertain the King

Who wore the crown.

 

Of course, he did it in a way

Hoping not to offend

For if he exposed the king

It could be his end.

 

He could call the king a fool

Once he acted the fool,

None would take him seriously

And all would be cool.

 

The king would understand

And act appropriately

And hopefully if all went right

Then all would be happy.

 

On the other hand,

If it did not go down right,

For some, including the jester,

Day could turn to night.

 

Listen to modern day comics

As they ply their craft,

They tell the truth in a way

To make one laugh.

 

But dig in a little deeper

And you would come to realize

A lot of truth can emerge

From a pseudo lie.

 

A truth that appears as a lie

Is truth nevertheless,

And if per chance, you are alert

You can pass the test.

 

 

In the “Emperor’s new clothes”

None dared to speak out,

But regarding the king’s nakedness

That child had no doubt.

 

The fool that I am speaking of

Is very witty and wise,

He knows how to deliver truth

Albeit, in disguised.

 

“A word to the wise”

If one’s faculty is not deficient

Will certainly hit the mark

And will also be sufficient.

 

“Every company needs a fool”

As seen in "The Barbados Today"

Not getting through in your quest,

This fool is the way.

 

Harbour people around you

Who will tell you the truth,

It is a great leadership ploy

And bears much proof.

 

Stewart Russell © June 10, 2023